Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Newport Beach

By John Bisnar

Todd Anthony Davis, 26, was killed in a Newport Beach motorcycle accident after another vehicle made a left turn in front of him. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the fatal crash occurred the morning of Feb. 17 near the intersection of Irvine Avenue and Orchard Drive. Davis was riding an orange 2014 Yamaha FZ-09 north on Irvine Avenue when a white 2015 Mazda CX-5 SUV that was making a left turn onto Orchard Drive struck the motorcycle.

Davis was ejected from the motorcycle and died about an hour later at a hospital. The woman who was driving the SUV was not injured. Officials are investigating the crash. No arrests or citations have been reported.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family members of Todd Anthony Davis for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2014 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there was one fatality and 39 injuries reported as a result of motorcycle accidents in the city of Newport Beach. In Orange County as a whole, 39 fatalities and 991 injuries were reported due to motorcycle accidents during the same year.

Laws and Liability Issues

Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the SUV was making a left turn at the time of the collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s data, one-third of all vehicle-versus-motorcycle accidents occur when the vehicle is making a left turn at a street intersection. Drivers making left turns or U-turns at street intersections or turning left into public or private property are required to yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.

In this particular case, it is not quite clear why the driver did not yield the right of way to the motorcyclist. We trust officials are looking into whether the driver was under the influence, distracted or otherwise negligent at the time of the collision. In such cases where negligence or wrongdoing may have been factors, families of deceased victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault parties seeking monetary compensation for their losses.

A wrongful death claim may be filed even if the driver has not been criminally charged or convicted. An experienced Newport Beach motorcycle accident attorney will be able to guide victims and their families and help them better understand their legal rights and options.

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